As the title suggests, this is a pure work about theory, but not old and dusty thoughts, instead a fresh and new look by Daniel Tyler. Certainly you will find topics which are as old as magic, such as 'the merit of gimmicks' and 'misdirection', but you will also find a chapter dealing with 'where to shop', which is up-to-date and includes places on the internet. This chapter alone can save you a multiple of the price of this ebook. Or what about 'getting the girl' or 'how to admire Blaine, but be yourself' - all topics that Daniel discusses. You might be shocked to hear that Daniel is just eighteen years old. If he wouldn't mention this fact in his introduction you would expect the author to be about twice as old. His thoughts and comments are very well presented and argued. You will learn something new. Don't pass this very readable ebook up.
2nd edition, 2004.
- INTRODUCTION
- PART ONE: THE MAGICIAN'S TRANSITION
- FIRST SHIFT IN THINKING
- MAKING IT COUNT
- FINDING YOUR STYLE
- HOW TO ADMIRE BLAINE, BUT BE YOURSELF
- THE MERIT OF GIMMICKS
- FLOURISHES
- PART TWO: THE UNDERLYING SKILLS
- WHERE TO SHOP
- PRACTICING
- ROUTINING
- ROUTINING II
- CREATING MAGIC
- PART THREE: ALL ABOUT LAYMEN
- THE SPECTATORS
- SWITCHING GEARS
- GETTING THE GIRL
- DEALING WITH HECKLERS
- PART FOUR: THE PERFORMING ART
- PATTER
- IMPROVISATION
- MISDIRECTION
- ANTICIPATION
- ALL ABOUT HUMOR
- PART FIVE: IN THE FIELD
- GETTING YOURSELF PAID
- COOLING THE NERVES
- THE PUBLIC APPROACH
- CLOSING THOUGHTS